Derby Delight For Under 13s

On bright but cool autumnal Sunday, Horncastle travelled to local rivals Spilsby to continue their Mid Lincs league campaign. An expectant crowd gathered to see whether Town could shake the disappointment from the previous fixture loss against league leaders Sleaford. Conversely the home team were buzzing following their demolition of Welton Arrows.

The visitors started strongly creating early opportunities, midfield trio of Kyle Tempest, Ellis Roberts and Josh Britchford taking an early grip on the central territory.

It was Roberts winning the ball centrally played Ryan Woollard in down the left. The striker then cutting inside sliced through the Spilsby defence like a knife through butter, and despite the keeper narrowing the angle lashed the ball cleanly into the right hand corner of the net, 0-1.

Spilsby had no intension of laying down without a fight, quickly equalising, 1-1.

The Wongers continued to dominate possession, it seemed only a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ they would score their second. Town attacked again down the left and with Spilsby desperately trying to clear the ball it skewed across the face a goal, it was Captain James McKeag who reacted quickest passing the ball into the net, 1-2. In his desire to latch on to the ball the skipper collided with the post, after a worrying time he recovered to celebrate delighting the away fans with his trademark ‘Dab’!

Horncastle continued to dominate, the back four of William Fawcett, Aaron Smith, Lewis Howden and Chloe Pickering camped on the half way line having little to worry them.

Town continued to press winning a free kick on the edge of the Spilsby box. Joshua Baxter stepped up, sensing a chink in the defences armour skilfully drove the ball past the wall, rippling the net in the right hand corner, 1-3.

The home team continued to search for another goal and on the stroke of half time reduced the deficit, 2-3 HT.

The second half started with the red and whites in control, with Alfie Baird looking lively through the left wing backed up by Towns terrier Tempest, always first to the challenge.

Town continued to look dangerous, Connor Pinkett warming the keepers hands with a couple of stinging shots. Spilsby were reduced to playing long balls through the central area, Horncastle’s steam train Aaron Smith untroubled and outpacing their attackers.

It was however Horncastle who scored next, Woollard turning provider, with a rapier attack down the right crossing the ball for Baird to slot home into the right hand corner, 2-4.

Spilsby gamely battled on forcing a late penalty following a Howden challenge, 3-4.

With the minutes ticking through to completion, Connor Toulson dropped in as centre back, despite playing out of position provided stoic defence. A final flurry from Spilsby led to a one on one opportunity, it was however keeper Peter Smith who came out on top, stealing the ball away from the attacker.

This exciting game came to a close, FT 3-4.

A delighted Head coach Bruce Baxter praised his team for an excellent performance, commending Roberts, Baird, Baxter & the respective Smith’s. Commenting it was difficult to pick out a single player as every player had completed their job, it was however Ryan Woollard who was awarded man of the match for an outstanding attacking and midfield display.

Town continue their campaign away against Welton Arrows next Sunday.